Despite an impressive late resurgence, Max Verstappen missed out on his fifth consecutive Formula 1 world title in 2025. Helmut Marko, however, believes the Red Bull driver would have become champion had Christian Horner left the team at an earlier stage.shortly after the Abu Dhabi Grand prix, it was announced that Red Bull and Marko would immediately end their longstanding collaboration, despite an ongoing contract. It occurred in the same season that saw Horner be sacked as team principal in July after 20 years with the Austrian squad.

Horner’s dismissal appeared to bring an end to a power struggle within Red Bull, although marko played down that characterisation. “That’s how it’s always been described in the media, but it was nothing personal,” the 82-year-old told The Limburger.

“Together with Didi [the late Red Bull founder Dietrich mateschitz]I founded red Bull Racing in 2005. we appointed Horner as team principal, and I was ther as a supervisor. In principle, the power was always in Austria – we made the decisions.”

Mateschitz passed away in October 2022. “I remember a party earlier that year, ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, Didi was there but not in good health. Christian came up to me and said ‘he won’t make it to the end of the year’. From that moment on, Christian began cozying up to Chalerm Yoovidhya,” Marko said, referring to Red Bull’s Thai co-owner.

“When Didi passed away later that year, Christian did everything he could to take control of the company with Yoovidhya’s support. On behalf of ‘Austria’, I did everything possible to prevent that.”

Red Bull’s Internal Conflicts: Marko Accuses Horner’s Camp of ‘Dirty Games’

Recent statements from Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko reveal a deeply fractured relationship with former team principal Christian Horner, alleging a campaign of “dirty games” during Horner’s final years with the team. These accusations surfaced during an interview with Austrian publication oe24, adding another layer to the ongoing saga surrounding Red Bull’s internal power struggles.

Marko’s comments center around a perceived effort to discredit him through fabricated stories disseminated by Horner’s allies. He specifically referenced a claim that he made disparaging remarks about Mexican drivers, specifically Sergio Perez, suggesting they were less focused than Dutch or German drivers. Marko vehemently denies making such a statement, attributing its origin to Horner’s camp.

“But those final years with Horner were not pleasant,” Marko stated. “Dirty games were being played. Do you remember when it was claimed that I said Mexicans were less focused than Dutch or German people during Sergio Perez’s time? That was fabricated – possibly by them [Horner’s camp].”

He further alleges similar tactics were used in 2024, claiming that false information was spread to damage his reputation. While the specifics of these 2024 claims remain undisclosed, Marko’s accusations paint a picture of a highly competitive and frequently enough ruthless internal environment within Red Bull Racing.

These revelations come after a tumultuous period for Red bull, marked by an internal investigation into allegations of misconduct against Horner. Although Horner was cleared of wrongdoing by Red Bull GmbH,the controversy sparked significant debate and scrutiny within the Formula 1 community. The subsequent power dynamics within the team have been a subject of intense speculation, with Marko’s position also coming under question at times.

Marko’s latest statements suggest the underlying tensions haven’t dissipated,even after Horner’s departure from his role as team principal. The accusations of “dirty games” highlight a level of distrust and animosity that could continue to impact Red Bull’s performance and stability in the future. The team currently boasts world champion Lando Norris.

Key takeaways

• Helmut Marko accuses Christian Horner’s camp of playing “dirty games” during his final years at Red Bull Racing.
• Marko denies fabricating a statement about Mexican drivers, attributing the claim to Horner’s allies.
• He alleges similar tactics were used in 2024 to discredit him.
• These accusations reveal ongoing tensions within Red Bull following the controversy surrounding Horner.
• The internal conflict could possibly impact the team’s future performance and stability.